Romeo x Juliet

Guest Author - Lesley Aeschliman

Romeo x Juliet is an anime that is loosely based on William Shakeapeare's play. In addition to Romeo and Juliet, the series also includes references and characters from other Shakespeare plays; even the Bard himself makes an appearance in the series.

In the beginning of the first episode, Juliet is a very small girl and the only member of her family to escape from the massacre of the Capulet family at the hands of Leontes Montague. Juliet grows up in hiding in Neo Verona, disguised as a boy named Odin.

14 years after the beginning of the series, Juliet/Odin takes on a secret identity as a Robin Hood type of figure, rescuing the common folk from Lord Montague and his iron-fisted rule. She is dressed in a disguise so no one can recognize her, and goes by the name the Red Whirlwind. The Red Whirlwind is first seen rescuing a girl who is being held by servants of Lord Montague, because she is accused of being Juliet Capulet.

While on the run from Lord Montague's men after rescuing the girl, the Red Whirlwind falls off of a ledge. Luckily, she is rescued by Romeo (who rides a Dragon Steed, a winged horse with the tail of a dragon). Romeo is the son of Lord Montague and heir to the throne of Neo Verona. He has been forced into an unwanted engagement with Hermione, a young noblewoman.

Even though his father is a ruthless ruler, Romeo is obedient and kindhearted. He is basically ostracized by the nobility, except for his friend Benvolio. Romeo ends up falling in love with Juliet at first sight. Juliet falls for Romeo as well. However, when Juliet learns the truth about her past (which has been hidden from her the past 14 years), she finds herself conflicted between being in love with Romeo and revolted by what Romeo's family did to her family.

Romeo x Juliet is an anime that does include some violence, but it is not bloody or gory. While it may not be an overly violent series, I don't think it's really suited for young children. Personally, I would recommend Romeo x Juliet to anime viewers who are 14 or 15 years of age and older.